I was so
excited for the Minnesota Vikings season like I always am and yes I know I
would not be attending games unless something crazy happens. This would have
been my 20th season as a Vikings season ticket holder. I had not
missed a Training camp since 1994 and again I knew it was coming so no shock.
The fact no
going to camp was hard to swallow even though I know my health comes first and
that is this is the first year since 1994 I do not know the players and I don’t
mean personally just the fact able to watch them. I always enjoy watching
practices and predicting the 53 man squad. Oh well I read twitter and watched
as much sports shows as I could especially the NFL Network but still not the
same as seeing players every day.
The first
game of the season and its home vs the Green Bay Packers and it would be my
first Packer game missed in 20 years. I came into the game with this thought
knowing much of the defense from the past is gone so we would be young. I was
excited to see the Vikings make the trade for Yannick Ngakoue but also know
Danielle Hunter is out for three games minimum. How would this translate for
pressure on Aaron Rodgers was my question to myself?
If we don’t
get any pressure on Rodgers we could be in serious trouble knowing we are so
young at the corner position. The game as I watched it was everything I worried
about and more. It is so painful to watch an elite quarterback just shred the
defense. The pass rush was nonexistent for the whole game.
I remember
last game vs Green Bay last year and how the Packers defense dominated the
Vikings offensive line. I am wondering how this year we would fare as the line
is basically the same and again my fears come true as the Vikings set an all-time
record in time of possession with just a little over 18 minutes. It was stomach
wrenching to watch from start to finish.
I know when
I do go to games I enjoy watching all of the game and I mean I can watch for
whatever I want to see. I witness Kirk dropping back and in my opinion he does
not have the ability to feel the rush as evident again when Cousins is sacked
in the end zone for a safety.
Ok, I chalk
it up to its one game with 15 left and yes there were a ton of mistakes but
when the team watches the film my hope is things can began to be fixed. I am a hardcore
Vikings fan so I get extra hyped for the Packers so it was a tough week after
knowing the Vikings were manhandled from start to finish.
Next up the
Indianapolis Colts and yes the first road game of the year with the chance to
get to 1-1 on the year. I know the fact that teams that start the year 0-2 only
12 percent of the teams do make the playoffs.
It was last
week the first drive the Vikings scored a touchdown with scripted plays and
again the Vikings go down the field and settle for a field goal after using
scripted plays.
This game
was so painful to watch for so many reasons as I always try to be positive but
honestly I see very, very little to be positive about.
The things I
will say are all from my heart and I am sure many of you will agree. I will
start with the play of both lines. The defensive line for the 2nd
week in a row got very little pass rush on a 17 year veteran Phillip Rivers who
is very limited on movement. I know the Vikings got one sack but I thought the
Colts offensive line absolutely manhandled the Vikings defensive line way too
much. It seemed every time a Colt running back got the ball he gained 2-3 years
before even being hit. I saw initial hits on the backs but credit the Colts
they fought all game long with getting the extra yards.
The Vikings
offensive line gave Cousins no protection and very few times holes opened for Alexander
Mattison and Dalvin Cook. One thing being down but double digits does take the
running game out of it a little. I know the Vikings are 1st and long
and down big and they are trying to run the ball. This is my question to
myself. Why?
I cringe
every time Cousins drops back as I fear the worst and again in the game Cousins
s taken down for a safety which I know is questionable as was he in or out? It
doesn’t matter the fact that multiple Colts had him and that is so hard to
watch.
The Vikings
are averaging the first two games about 19 minutes of time of possession and
this is totally unacceptable to me.
The play of
Kirk Cousins is horrific to watch as I know he doesn’t get the time but seeing
him force balls just compounds matters.
I am a huge
Adam Thielen fan but I think Cousins is as well as it seems all he wants to do
is throw to Adam in double coverage. I know the radio show after mentioned it
as well that it seems he has no trust in anyone else.
I know the
first drive when Cousins threw the ball out of the back of the end zone when I
wished he would put a little more loft and put it up to Kyle Rudolph as he did
to beat the Saints in the playoffs last year.
I am a fan
who is no bigger or better than anyone else just writing this from my
perspective. I know no mini camps, and it has been an unusual offseason but it
appears the Vikings did nothing. All 32 teams had the same issues but my
beloved Vikings who I love to death look like they have not played football a
day in their lives.
There are
still 14 more games and chances to get better but the first two weeks have left
me very concerned. I know last week if there would have been fans the Vikings
would have been booed right off the field at halftime so in this case maybe no
fans was good.
I watch the
games and of the 22 players the only ones I have seen that stick out are Eric
Kendricks and a little Harrison Smith.
I will
continue to watch my favorite team nut pray they find some answers because a
very good Tennessee Titans team is coming rolling into US Bank next Sunday.
That’s all
for now
SKOL VIKINGS
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
